BETTY FUNK
1925 - 2017
Obituary
Betty L. (Weinbrenner) Funk 92, died
Thursday (Dec. 7, 2017) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas
following a brief illness.
She was born July 21, 1925 in Newton to
Albert A and Vida D. (Aurenheimer) Weinbrenner. On August 22, 1947,
she married the love of her life Ray N. Funk in Reedley, California
and he preceded her in death on Dec. 27, 2008. Together they welcomed
five children into their family Jan, Miriam, Mark, Rodney and Carole.
She was a graduate of Reedley, California, High School and earned a
Bachelor's of Home Economics from Bethel College. Education was
important to Betty and she was a lifelong learner and instilled that
value in her children and their families. She continued to seamlessly
keep the family's bookkeeping updated right up to a few months ago.
Betty was a longtime resident of
Hillsboro where she worked closely alongside her husband owning and
operating the former Gambles Hardware Store and the Trail Lanes
Bowling Center. Betty and Ray were always a close team and with
vision and energy they invested in the Hillsboro Community that they
called home. While living in Hillsboro they were members of the
Trinity Mennonite Church and attended Bethel College Mennonite Church
after moving to Newton nearly 14 years ago.
Those who knew Betty could always
expect a warm genuine smile when they encountered her be that around
town, in her home or at her newest adventure in her life living at
Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton. While living at Kidron she
expanded her many friendships to include her fellow residents and
neighbors. Flowers, yardwork and being in nature were a joy of
Betty's and she often shared she had the "room with the best
view" at Kidron where she could continue to enjoy God's creation
right outside her room.
Of all of Betty's accomplishments and
adventure's in her life she considered that of being a loving and
supportive wife, mother and friend most important of all. She loved
to be surrounded by her children and their families. There are many
memories of Saturday's at her house where you would smell the fresh
zwieback coming from her kitchen. Christmas and holiday gatherings
were a special time in her house. Betty will be greatly missed and
the void she leaves in her family will be very hard to fill, but it
seems fitting that our Mom and our friend is spending Christmas with
Jesus and our Dad this year.
Betty is survived by her children: Mark
E. Funk and his wife Donna of North Newton; Rodney W. Funk of
Hillsboro; Jan Kelly and her husband John of Newton; Miriam Siebert
and her husband Rick of Marshfield, Missouri; Carole and her husband
Marcus Brown of LaQuinta, California. She is also survived by 11
grandchildren: Kerry, Colton and Cassidy Funk; Jennifer Rewkowski,
Julie Lindenmeyer, Jamie Harris, Kristi Harris, Tennille Terry, Lisa
Burbridge, Nathan Brown and Autumn Brown. She has 11
great-grandchildren and a very special "Granddog" Chevy.
Betty is preceded in death by her
parents and husband.
A private family inurnment will be at
Haven of Rest Cemetery in Hillsboro.
Memorials are suggested to Bethel
College, Mennonite Central Committee or Bethel College Mennonite
Church in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
